The Climbing Leaves Crochet Tote Bag is a warm project that blends functionality with a touch of elegance. This intermediate-level pattern employs a unique stitch skill that mimics the look of climbing leaves, making it a nice accessory for any occasion. Crafted using Lily Sugar’n Cream yarn, this tote bag is not only stylish but also durable, perfect for carrying everyday essentials or as a chic shopping companion.
Understanding the Construction of the Tote
This tote bag begins with a solid bottom worked in single crochet, creating a sturdy base. The sides are constructed in rounds, switching between right side and wrong side rows, letting for a ribbed finish that adds to the visual appeal. As you progress, you’ll incorporate various stitches, such as front post and back post half double crochet, to create the climbing leaf effect. This method not only boosts the design but also gives structural integrity.
Tips for Color Management
When working with many colors or yarns, keeping track of your color changes is crucial for keeping a clean look. This pattern allows for flexibility in color choice, so check using a colorway that complements your style. It’s advisable to keep a yarn needle handy for weaving in ends as you change colors. This practice not only helps to keep your work neat but also makes it easier to manage the transitions between distinct yarns.
Practical Troubleshooting Tips
If you find your stitches are too tight or loose, it may be needed to adjust your hook size. Since the pattern lists using a U.S. H/8 (5 mm) hook, ensure that your tension matches the gauge provided. If your bag isn’t laying flat, check to see that you are correctly switching between right and wrong side rows. This can affect the full shape and texture of the tote.
Specifications for the Climbing Leaves Crochet Tote Bag Pattern
Sizes & fit
Approx 14″ [35.5 cm] wide x 4″ [10 cm] deep x 17″ [43 cm] tall.
Gauge & motif dimensions
13 sc and 14 rows = 4″ [10 cm].
Hook specified in the pattern
Size U.S. H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
Materials Required for the Climbing Leaves Crochet Tote Bag Pattern
Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (2.5 oz/70.9 g; 120 yds/109 m) Stonewash (01118) 5 balls or 600 yds/545 m Size U.S. H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge. Locking stitch markers. Yarn needle.
| Abbreviation | Meaning in the original pattern |
|---|---|
| Approx | Approximately |
| Beg | Begin(ning) |
| Ch | Chain(s) |
| Cont | Continue(ity) |
| Hdc | Half double crochet |
| Hdcbp | Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next stitch at back of work, inserting hook from right to left. Yoh and draw through 3 loops on hook. |
| Hdcfp | Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next stitch at front of work, inserting hook from right to left. Yoh and draw through 3 loops on hook. |
| Hdcbp2tog | (Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next stitch at back of work, inserting hook from right to left) twice. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook. |
| Hdcfp2tog | (Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next stitch at front of work, inserting hook from right to left) twice. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook. |
| Hdc5tog | (Yoh and draw up a loop) in each of next 5 stitches. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook. |
| Popcorn | Work 4 hdc into next stitch. Drop loop from hook. Insert hook from front to back into first hdc of 4 hdc group. Pull dropped loop through st. Ch 1 to secure popcorn. |
| PM | Place marker |
| Rep | Repeat |
| Rnd(s) | Round(s) |
| Sc | Single crochet |
| Sl st | Slip stitch |
| Sp(s) | Space(s) |
| St(s) | Stitch(es) |
| Tr | Treble crochet |
| Trfp | (Yoh) twice and draw up a loop around post of next stitch at front of work, inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times. |
| WS | Wrong side |
| Y oh | Yarn over hook |
CROCHET I SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
Instructions for Completing the Climbing Leaves Crochet Tote Bag Pattern
BOTTOM
Ch 15.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 14 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn. Rep 2nd row until work from beg measures 14″ [35.5 cm]. PM on 7th st of last row. Fasten off.
SIDES
Notes: Join all rnds with sl st to first st. Turn at end of each rnd to alternate working around RS and WS. With WS facing, join yarn with sl st to marked stitch. Remove marker. See diagram on page 5.
1st rnd: (WS). Ch 1. 1 sc in same st as sl st. 1 sc in each of next 6 sc. Work 49 sts along long edge of Bottom. Work 14 sts along short end of Bottom. Cont down long edge, working (19 sc. 5 hdc in each of next 2 sps. 7 sc. 5 hdc in each of next 2 sps. 19 sc) evenly along Bottom. 1 sc in each of next 7 sc. 142 sts. Join. Turn.
2nd rnd: (RS). Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 16 sc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. PM on post of st just worked. 1 hdcbp around each of next 6 sts. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 sts. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 sts. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 6 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. PM on post of st just worked. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
3rd rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 79 sc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. Hdcbp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. Hdcbp2tog. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. Hdcbp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. Hdcbp2tog. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
4th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 16 sc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Skip next hdc. *1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Remove marker.* 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcfp around each of next 2 hdc. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcfp around each of next 2 hdc. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. 1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Remove marker. Skip next hdc. Rep from * to * once more. Skip next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
5th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 79 sc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next tr. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next tr. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. Hdcbp2tog twice. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. Hdcbp2tog twice. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. Popcorn in next hdc. 1 hdcfp round next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
6th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 16 sc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. PM on post of st just worked. 1 hdcbp around each of next 6 sts. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. (1 hdcfp. Ch 1. 1 hdcfp) all around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 6 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. PM on post of st just worked. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
7th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 79 sc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next
hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
8th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 16 sc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. *1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Remove marker. Skip next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Remove marker.* 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 2 hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcfp around each of next 2 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. Rep from * to * once more. Skip next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
9th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 79 sc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next tr. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next tr. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. Popcorn in next hdc. 1 hdcfp round next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
10th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 16 sc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. PM on post of st just worked. 1 hdcbp around each of next 6 sts. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 6 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. PM on post of st just worked. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
11th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 79 sc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 5 hdc. Skip next ch-1. 1 hdcbp around each of next 5 hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
12th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 16 sc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. *1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Remove marker. Skip next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Remove marker.* 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. Rep from * to * once. Skip next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
13th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 79 sc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next tr. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next tr. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. Hdcbp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. Hdcbp2tog. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. Popcorn in next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
14th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 16 sc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. PM on post of st just worked. 1 hdcbp around each of next 6 sts. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcfp around each of next 2 hdc. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. 1 hdcbp around each of next 6 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. PM on post of st just worked. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
15th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 79 sc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next
hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. Hdcbp2tog twice. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
16th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 16 sc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. *1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Remove marker. Skip next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Remove marker.* 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. (1 hdcfp. Ch 1. 1 hdcfp) all around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. Hdcfp2tog. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. (1 hdcfp. Ch 1. 1 hdcfp) all around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. Rep from * to * once more. Skip next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
17th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 79 sc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next tr. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next tr. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. 1hdcbp around next hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1hdcbp around next hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. Popcorn in next hdc. 1 hdcfp round next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
18th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 16 sc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. PM on post of st just worked. 1 hdcbp around each of next 6 sts. 1 hdcfp around each of next 2 hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcfp around each of next 2 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 2 hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcfp around each of next 2 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 6 sts. 1 hdcfp around next st. PM on post of st just worked. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
19th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 79 sc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 6 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
20th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 16 sc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. *1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Remove marker. Skip next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 trfp around marked hdc 2 rows below. Remove marker.* 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 3 sts. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. (1 hdc. Ch 1. 1 hdc) all in next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 4 hdc. Rep from * to * once more. Skip next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn.
21st rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 79 sc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next tr. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next tr. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 5 hdc. Skip next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcbp around each of next 5 hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 3 hdc. 1 hdcbp around each of next 5 hdc. Skip next ch-1 sp. 1 hdcbp around each of next 5 hdc. 1 hdcfp around each of next 4 hdc. Popcorn in next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 hdcbp around next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. Popcorn in next hdc. 1 hdcfp around next hdc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn. Rep 2nd to 21st rnds once more.
Next rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 26 sts. (Hdc5tog) twice. 1 sc in each of next 7 sts. (Hdc5tog) twice. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. 126 sts. Join. Turn. Next 8 rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join. Turn at end of each rnd. Next rnd (handle openings): Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 22 sc. Ch 19. Skip next 19 sc. 1 sc in each of next 44 sc. Ch 19. Skip next 19 sc. 1 sc in each sc to end of rnd. Join. Turn. Next 9 rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join. Turn at end of each rnd. Fasten off. STRAP (worked lengthwise) Ch 91.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 90 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn. Rep 2nd row until Strap measures 1½” [4 cm]. Fasten off. Sew ends of Strap in position as shown in photo. = half double crochet (hdc) = popcorn = marker = front post half double crochet (hdcfp) = front post treble crochet (trfp) = front post half double crochet 2 together (hdcfp2tog) = back post half double crochet 2 together (hdcbp2tog) = back post half double crochet (hdcbp)
STITCH KEY
= chain (ch) = single crochet (sc)
Frequently Asked Questions about the Climbing Leaves Tote Bag
What size is the finished tote bag?
The done sizes of the Climbing Leaves Crochet Tote Bag are about 14 inches wide, 4 inches deep. 17 inches tall. These sizes make it a useful bag suitable for various uses, from casual outings to grocery shopping.
How do I ensure my stitches match the gauge?
To achieve the correct gauge of 13 single crochets and 14 rows for every 4 inches, it’s key to check your tension regularly as you work. If your stitches are larger or smaller than the named gauge, check changing your crochet hook size to better match the requirements. Always note to check your gauge before starting the project to avoid issues later on.
What techniques are used in this pattern?
This pattern shows several crochet skills, with single crochet, half double crochet, front post half double crochet. Popcorn stitches. These skills create a ribbed and clearly nice design that resembles climbing leaves, adding depth and character to the tote bag.
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to tackle the Climbing Leaves Tote Bag, gather your supplies and get started on this nice project. Enjoy the process of creating a unique and useful accessory that shows your crochet skills.
Save & Print This Crochet Pattern
Prefer working offline or keeping a printed copy in your project bag? Download our formatted Climbing Leaves Crochet Tote Bag printable PDF guide below, complete with the full materials table, stitch diagrams, color-key charts, and step-by-step assembly instructions prepared for Derecipe.
READER COMMENTS & PATTERN QUESTIONS
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